December 20, 2001 - Mainstreet Radios Bob Reha reports on 40 of Sudan's “Lost Boys” that now call Fargo home. They are refugees from years of civil war plaguing their North African country. An estimated two million people have died in the conflict. The Fargo Lost Boys trekked from Sudan through Ethiopia to Kenya. They now are facing the challenges of adapting to a new culture, all while dreaming of returning home.
December 24, 2001 - Traditional foods like turkey, oyster stew, ham and virtually all kinds of potatoes, be they scalloped, baked or mashed, tend to dominate most holiday tables. But City Pages Eater's Digest columnist Dara Moskowitz says that can get a little boring after awhile. She suggests jazzing up this year's holiday feast with an old farm classic that's suddenly become quite chic -- BEETS.
December 26, 2001 - MPR's Mark Zdechlik reports that Governor Jesse Ventura says Minnesotans will likely be more open to major governmental reform with the state facing a projected budget deficit of nearly two billion dollars. Ventura says he'll use his State of the State speech a week from tomorrow as something of a “Government 101” course to help Minnesotans learn how state taxes are spent.
January 3, 2002 - MPR’s Laura McCallum provides a collection of political commentary regarding Governor Ventura’s upcoming final State of the State address of his term. In a break with tradition, Ventura will speak from the Governor's Residence with no live audience present. The governor says he'll focus on the state budget and the projected nearly two-billion dollar deficit.
January 3, 2002 - MPR’s Lorna Benson interviews political analyst Chris Gilbert about Ventura’s upcoming State of the State speech. In a break from the tradition of giving the speech to a live audience, Ventura has decided instead to speak from his official residence. He is not expected to take questions afterward. Gilbert says tonight's fireside chat format suits Ventura.
January 4, 2002 - Governor Ventura is taking offense about Roger Moe's attacks on Ventura's budget, blaming Ventura on a national deficit. MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that Governor Ventura is taking offense about Roger Moe's attacks on Ventura's budget, referring to state's budget shortfall as the "Ventura deficit."
January 4, 2002 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Karen Anderson, mayor of Minnetonka and president of the National League of cities, to get her reaction to Governor Ventura’s State of the State speech that gave broad outlines for his plans to close a projected nearly $2 billion state budget shortfall. He specifically said that aid to local governments is high on his target list for cuts.
January 4, 2002 - On this segment of MPR’s Word of Mouth, host Chris Roberts looks at city politicians and art organizations making a plea for support from Governor Ventura and the Minnesota legislature for funding. MPR’s Laura McCallum also provides a short report.
January 7, 2002 - Skiers and snowmobilers are grumbling at the lack of Minnesota winter snow, but that's good news for some winter sports fans…like ice boaters. Mainstreet Radio’s Chris Julin found some of those chilly boaters out on Duluth Harbor.
January 10, 2002 - MPR’s Tom Crann talks with composer Daniel Schnyder about The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra world premiere of "Krisis," a symphony honoring the victims of the September 11th attacks. The piece has three movements reflecting stages in human reactions to tragedy.